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UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

WVILLARD E. CASE, OF AUBURN, NEWV YORK.

ELECTROLYTIC Ll QUlD FOR STORAGE-BATTERIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,053, dated March 3, 11885.

Application filed April 2'3, 1884. (N0 specimens To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLARD E. CASE, of Auburn, Cayuga county, New York, have in vented a new and useful Improvement in Electrolytic Liquids for Storage-Batteries, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The invention consists in a neutral electrolytic liquid for storagebatteries, consisting of a solution ofzinc sulphate, containing also alu: minum hydrate.

I practically apply my invention as follows: First, into a solution of zinc sulphate I introduce aluminum, preferably in the form of hydrate, using two electrodes, both of lead, or respectively of lead and carbon, or other suit able materials, neither electrode, however, being of zinc. On the charging of the cell the anode is oxidized and metallic zinc is deposited on the cathode. The sulphuric acid liberated on the deposit of the zinc combines with the aluminum hydrate in the solution. forming aluminum sulphate, which is a soluble salt. The solution, being kept normal, prevents the local action of the zinc on the cathode, thus saving the necessity of amalgamating the zinc and 0f the lead peroxide on the anode. On

discharge of the cell the sulphuric acid of the aluminum sulphate attacks the zinc deposited on the cathode, forming again zinc sulphate, and aluminum hydroxide or hydrate is liberated at the anode. This hydrate not being caustic, does not affect the lead peroxide in the, anode, and is itself precipitated in the so lution, when the original conditions are re gained. The amount of aluminum hydrate to be added will of course depend upon the quantity of zinc deposited or acid set free from the zinc-sulphatesolution. Suchaquantityshould be used as will at least furnish enough alumi num to satisfy the aifinit-y of the liberated snlphuric acid, and an excess may be employed without injury. Any chemist knowing the atomic Weights of the elements entering into the reactions can easily determine the proper proportion of aluminum to produce the desired result.

I claim as my invention- In a secondary or storage cell, and in combination with the electrodes thereof, neither of said electrodes being of zinc, an electrolytic liquid normally containing zinc sulphate and aluminum hydrate, substantially as described.

WILLARD E. CASE.

Witnesses:

W. A. FRENCH, F. W. SMITH. 

